Pharmacology NCLEX Questions: Respiratory System
| Asthma, COPD, Bronchodilators & Theophylline |
2026 Latest Update Complete Questions Provided
with Verified A+ Graded Answers
a. Asthma
A client is diagnosed with a pulmonary disorder that causes COPD. Lungs tissue changes are
normally reversible with this condition. The nurse understands that which is the client's most
likely diagnosis?
a. Asthma
b. Emphysema
c. Bronchiectasis
d. Chronic bronchitis
b. epinephrine (Adrenalin)
A client with COPD has an acute bronchospasm. The nurse knows that which is the best
medication for this emergency situation?
a. zafirlukast (Accolate)
b. epinephrine (Adrenalin)
c. dexamethasone (Decadron)
d. oxtriphylline-theophyllinate (Choledyl)
c. Increased heart rate
A client is taking aminophylline-theophylline ethylenediamine (Somophyllin). For what should
the nurse monitor the client?
a. Drowsiness
b. Hypoglycemia
c. Increased heart rate
d. Decreased white blood cell count
b. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
, A client is prescribed theophylline to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi. The nurse
monitors the client's theophylline serum levels to maintain which therapeutic range?
a. 1 to 10 mcg/mL
b. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
c. 20 to 30 mcg/mL
d. 30 to 40 mcg/mL
a. Maintenance treatment of asthma
A client with COPD is taking a leukotriene antagonist, montelukast (Singulair). The nurse is
aware that this medication is given for which purpose?
a. Maintenance treatment of asthma
b. Treatment of an acute asthma attack
c. Reversing bronchospasm associated with COPD
d. Treatment of inflammation in chronic bronchitis
c. Continue to assess the client's oxygenation.
The nurse is caring for a client with a theophylline level of 14 mcg/mL. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
a. Increase the IV drip rate.
b. Monitor the client for toxicity.
c. Continue to assess the client's oxygenation.
d. Stop the IV for an hour then restart at lower rate.
d. Tachycardia
Discharge teaching to a client receiving a beta-agonist bronchodilator should emphasize
reporting which side effect?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Nonproductive cough
c. Sedation
d. Tachycardia
d. St. John's wort
The nurse instructs the client to avoid which over-the-counter products when taking
theophylline (Theo-Dur)?
| Asthma, COPD, Bronchodilators & Theophylline |
2026 Latest Update Complete Questions Provided
with Verified A+ Graded Answers
a. Asthma
A client is diagnosed with a pulmonary disorder that causes COPD. Lungs tissue changes are
normally reversible with this condition. The nurse understands that which is the client's most
likely diagnosis?
a. Asthma
b. Emphysema
c. Bronchiectasis
d. Chronic bronchitis
b. epinephrine (Adrenalin)
A client with COPD has an acute bronchospasm. The nurse knows that which is the best
medication for this emergency situation?
a. zafirlukast (Accolate)
b. epinephrine (Adrenalin)
c. dexamethasone (Decadron)
d. oxtriphylline-theophyllinate (Choledyl)
c. Increased heart rate
A client is taking aminophylline-theophylline ethylenediamine (Somophyllin). For what should
the nurse monitor the client?
a. Drowsiness
b. Hypoglycemia
c. Increased heart rate
d. Decreased white blood cell count
b. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
, A client is prescribed theophylline to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi. The nurse
monitors the client's theophylline serum levels to maintain which therapeutic range?
a. 1 to 10 mcg/mL
b. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
c. 20 to 30 mcg/mL
d. 30 to 40 mcg/mL
a. Maintenance treatment of asthma
A client with COPD is taking a leukotriene antagonist, montelukast (Singulair). The nurse is
aware that this medication is given for which purpose?
a. Maintenance treatment of asthma
b. Treatment of an acute asthma attack
c. Reversing bronchospasm associated with COPD
d. Treatment of inflammation in chronic bronchitis
c. Continue to assess the client's oxygenation.
The nurse is caring for a client with a theophylline level of 14 mcg/mL. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
a. Increase the IV drip rate.
b. Monitor the client for toxicity.
c. Continue to assess the client's oxygenation.
d. Stop the IV for an hour then restart at lower rate.
d. Tachycardia
Discharge teaching to a client receiving a beta-agonist bronchodilator should emphasize
reporting which side effect?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Nonproductive cough
c. Sedation
d. Tachycardia
d. St. John's wort
The nurse instructs the client to avoid which over-the-counter products when taking
theophylline (Theo-Dur)?
